Sierra High relied on defense in its 12-2 preseason win over visiting Johansen on Tuesday.

“We made the plays that we needed to make on the field,” said Timberwolves coach Jack Thomson, who saw his team improve to 2-0.

Sierra was also helped out by a solid pitching effort from Rudy Cervantes, who allowed just two hits with four strikeouts and a walk in his five innings of work.

The Timberwolves went up 3-0 lead after four innings, scoring run each in the first, third and fourth. The Vikings made it close with a two-run fifth.

Sierra pulled away from there, scoring twice in the bottom half of the frame and blowing the game open thanks to a seven-run sixth.

Offensively, the Timberwolves’ Nick Oseguera went 2 for 4 with a double while Leo Soto, who also doubled, was 2 for 2.

Thomson’s roster continues to be thin as he awaits players currently involved in the winter sports playoffs.



Manteca 6, Argonaut 4

The Buffaloes (3-0) scored four times in the second inning in their non-league victory over visiting Argonaut.

Starter Vince Cabeceiras went four innings, allowing three hits while fanning six to earn the win. He issued four walks and only one of two runs scored against him was earned.

Manteca had a 5-0 lead after two innings, with Argonaut scoring twice in the third and fifth to keep the game close.

Dominick Pisano led the Buffaloes, going 2 for 3 with three RBI. Greg Jones, Mitch Balmut (RBI), Chase McKee (run), and Ronaldo Tijero (2 runs, RBI) also had a hit each.



Sonora 7, Ripon 3

The Wildcats put together a five-run sixth inning to roll past host Ripon.

Trent Murphy went 2 for 4 for the Indians (0-1). Jarrod Murphy and Nick Price both chipped with a double each.

Brandon Scott pitched four innings, fanning three while allowing two hits and issuing three walks. CJ Little, Robert Hutto and Jack Mayer each pitched an inning for Ripon, which took a 1-0 lead in the second inning.

Sonora came back to tie the game in third, forging ahead with a run in the fourth.